The Odyssey Questions Book 14 and Book 15: What is the function of Eumaeus the swineherd
Book 14
- What is the function of Eumaeus the swineherd? How does he treat Odysseus, and how does Odysseus treat him? How much of the truth does Odysseus tell him?
Book 15
- What is Telemachus’ main diplomatic challenge in this book? How does Athena help him meet the challenge?
- What role does Helen play in this book? What does the prophecy she makes reveal about her? Why might it be significant, in terms of the Odyssey as a whole, that Helen, whose misbehavior towards her husband set in motion the Trojan War, gives Telemachus a robe to bestow upon his future bride?
- Who is Theoclymenus, and why is it appropriate that Telemachus should treat him kindly?
- What is Eumaeus’ own story, as he recounts it to Odysseus? Does the story indicate why Eumaeus is especially loyal to Odysseus? If so, what’s the reason?
